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Sometimes, a unique design may be all you need to sell a new handset. That could be what they're banking on with the Motorola Backflip, a smartphone with various physical innovations that you might find enticing (or retarded, whichever the case may be).
Physically, the unique flip design definitely makes it a noteworthy device. While it looks like the Motorola Cliq at first glance, look closer and you'll see the huge differences. When closed, the keyboard sits in the back of the phone, such that it flips open to the bottom of the horizontal 3.1-inch display. Sure, it's a novel way to implement a clamshell for a touchscreen device, but the fact that your keys are exposed 100% of the time definitely doesn't inspire confidence. They also added trackpads behind the display, which are supposed to allow you to navigate the UI without your hands getting in the way. It works well, although, it's hard to see a real need for it.
As a phone, the Backflip manages average call quality. It was good on our end, although callers sometimes reported issues on theirs. We're not sure if it was their phone or ours causing it, however. The speakerphone was excellent, definitely better than average. Battery is rated at 6 hours, which should be good for at least two days of normal use.
Positioned as more of an entry-level smartphone, it's equipped with a rather underpowered 528MHz Qualcomm processor. It only runs Android 1.5 too and performance wasn't the best - there were definite lags even with simpler tasks, such as opening your inbox and scrolling through lists. As such, it might be a good idea to forget ever upgrading the OS here to a newer version.
It comes with Motoblur and you can read our reviews of other similarly-equipped Motorola phones (Cliq, Devour) to get the skinny on that. Features are around what you'd expect. You get the usual Android fare (Google's software suite and read-only QuickOffice), Webkit-based HTML browser (very fast page loads over 3G, by the way), aGPS, WiFi and Bluetooth.
While it continues to use Android's lackluster music player, the Backflip comes with excellent sound quality. The onboard speakers manage gorgeous sounds, definitely a notch above what you normally get from a phone. Camera appeared great at 5 megapixels of resolution, but the quality of shots left plenty to be desired.
Overall, the Motorola Backflip is a decent choice for an entry-level Android smartphone. There are definite performance issues, but it covers the range of features well and it's an excellent music phone. Price sounds good too - $99 with a two-year contract from AT&T (not sure how much for unlocked versions elsewhere).
Motorola Backflip Offers Unique Design, Great Music And Performance Issues3.6111111111111noel2010-03-05 11:39:24
Phone ReviewsMotorola Backflip Offers Unique Design, Great Music And Performance Issues
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Loved the Droid? Meet its little brother, the Motorola Devour. While not exactly the same top-of-the-line smartphone as its predecessor, the company's third official Android release brings plenty to be happy about.
Physically, it borrows the same form factor as the Droid, is about the same size and weighs almost just as heavy. It does put the extra heft to good use, boasting both sturdy construction and a great feel in hand. The extruded aluminum skin and extra touches help it leave a very attractive impression. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it's better-looking than it's older brother.
Display is a smaller 3.1 inches, with 480x320 resolution. It's exceptionally bright and vibrant, although it barely fills the available space on the handset. The addition of a thumbpad below the screen is a great decision, as it proved easier to use than a trackball or a toggle, as we've seen most Android phones come with. We don't know anyone who wouldn't appreciate the keyboard - it's spacious and very convenient to use.
As a phone, the Devour manages very good calls. Signal is strong with no distortion and voice quality is excellent, although we could have used a little more volume. Callers on the other end reported good quality, too, with just a hint of static. Speakerphone performed admirably, with an impressive mic. Battery life is rated at 6.48 hours of talk time. While we weren't able to drain it during testing, it looked like it can go for a good two days (or more) of normal use.
In terms of actual power, it's a rather impressive handset - apps ran faster than the Cliq, but slightly slower than the Droid. It runs Motoblur exactly like the Cliq, so you get that extra layer of usability. We especially love the universal inbox (where you can dump all your POP3, IMAP4 and corporate e-mails) and the various social networking features.
Broadband 3G is great, making for fast-loading pages (that supports Flash Lite) and excellent video-streaming. All the usual Google apps are here to take full advantage of it too. It's a little disappointing that the phone is running Android 1.6, however, which means you don't get to take advantage of the fuller options the newer versions provide.
Music quality is good, although the interface is exactly the same as other Android phones (which isn't that great). The 3.0 megapixel camera is absolutely lacking in editing options and extra features, but manages decent shots. Other notable features include aGPS (with VZ Navigator), Wi-Fi, Outlook syncing (contacts and calendar), QuickOffice and stereo Bluetooth. It ships with an 8GB SD card.
Overall, the Motorola Devour is an excellent Android phone (fast, full-featured and comes with some durable qualities) - easily one of the best around. Since it's priced at only $50 less than the Droid (with similar two-year contracts), however, the Android version becomes an important issue. You might want to consider that before making a purchase.
Motorola Devour Is Like A Lesser But Slightly Sexier Droid4.1111111111111noel2010-02-25 13:43:11
Phone ReviewsMotorola Devour Is Like A Lesser But Slightly Sexier Droid
Who needs a traditional QWERTY keyboard again? Not the Motorola Quench, a new Android-powered smartphone that wants to change the way you input text.
The biggest update here is the loss of a standard onscreen QWERTY that you control with taps. In its place, you get a QWERTY that supports Swype, a new technology that uses finger-sweeps on the touchscreen to help you roll out your messages. Also called the Cliq XT (in North America), the Quench will come with the Motoblur UI, which integrates various social and messaging services into a single interface.
Details of the handset include a 3.1-inch HVGA display, aGPS, Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth, dual microphones (for improved noise cancellation) and a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with autofocus and LED flash). Phone dimensions are 116.7 x 59.4 x 12.3 mm.
It will support quad-band GSM/EDGE and tri-band 3G with download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps. Other notable features include tight Google apps integration, pinch-to-zoom browser support, a navigation touchpad, voice-activated search, a 1420 mAh battery that's rated for up to 6.5 hours of talk time and an updated media player (which boasts integration with TuneWiki, SoundHound, GoTV and YouTube). The handset will ship with Android 1.5.
Motorola Quench, the company's eighth Android release, will begin selling in Europe before the first quarter is over and in the US by March. Price was not announced.
[Motorola Media Center]
Motorola Quench Announced At MWC, Uses Swype For Text Inputunratednoel2010-02-15 10:54:29
NewsMotorola Quench Announced At MWC, Uses Swype For Text Input
Despite their recent successful forays into smartphones, Motorola remains a regular source of rugged handsets. The latest to come out of the company is the Motorola Quantico, a clamshell boasting compliance with full military specifications.
Physically, it shares the same form factor as the recently-released Motorola Brute. The resemblance ends there, though, as much of the design is evidently different. Being a rugged phone, looks take a backseat to durability - hard plastic housing, textured rubber sides and back, securely-plugged jacks and a very bulky frame.
It sports two screens, a 1.6-inch external panel and 2.2-inch display (176x220 resolution) inside. Both are colored. While they obviously won't dole out the sharpest graphics, both have sufficient brightness and good usability. Both the keypad and navigation array are easy to use, unlike other rugged phones we've seen.
As a phone, it makes for impressive calls - conversations were clear with no discernible distortion. Voices came through sounding natural with plenty of volume. On the other end, users reported the same positive experience. Speakerphone feature worked well, although those we were talking to reported some notable harshness in the sound. Battery life is rated at 5.8 hours, which should be good for up to 2 or 3 days of normal use.
The Motorola Quantico comes with largely basic features. There's the standard phone stuff, such as a 1,000-entry phone book, PIM tools, messaging (SMS, MMS, web email), stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion (up to 8GB). More advanced capabilities include a wireless web browser, aGPS and push-to-talk (depending on carriers).
Music player is decent, with support for a wide variety of file formats and playlists. They also threw in a 1.3 megapixel camera with a good amount of options and surprisingly usable photo quality. Of course, we also tried dropping and dunking it in shallow water a few times - it's good enough to withstand basic durability tests.
Overall, the Motorola Quantico doesn't bring much in terms of looks, but does make up for it with solid rugged capabilities and strong execution of its core features. US Cellular currently has it for $99.95 ( no PTT, though) on a two-year service agreement.
Motorola Quantico Brings Dependable Phone Capabilities, Durable Makeunratednoel2010-02-07 13:23:11
Phone ReviewsMotorola Quantico Brings Dependable Phone Capabilities, Durable Make
Talk about piling up the Android releases. That's definitely the case with Motorola, who has officially announced the Motorola Devour, their latest smartphone running Google's open-source OS. Set for release under Verizon, it will be the carrier's first Motoblur-equipped device.
As it did in the Motorola Cliq, MotoBlur will bring its unique and customizable content delivery service to the new handset. Aggregating information from Gmail, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other sources, it streams updates directly to the home screen, apart from adding other management features, such as contacts syncing and personal messaging.
Instead of a pure touchscreen device, though, the Devour takes on a form factor with more similarities to the Motorola Droid, sporting a slide-out QWERTY keypad along the left-hand side. Details of the Devour include a 3.1-inch capacitive touchscreen, a touch-sensitive navigation pad, aGPS, stereo Bluetooth and 3G connectivity. A bundled 8GB microSD card will come with the package.
Like most Android phones, a host of Google apps will be preloaded on the device, including Gmail, Talk, YouTube and Maps Navigation. Verizon is putting it under their list of "advanced devices" and will thus require a $29.99 data plan.
The Motorola Devour is scheduled for availability in early March. Price has not been set, but expect it between $170 to $200.
[via Verizon News]
Motorola Devour Announced For Verizon Wireless, Comes With Touchscreen, QWERTY And MotoBlurunratednoel2010-02-04 17:55:10
NewsMotorola Devour Announced For Verizon Wireless, Comes With Touchscreen, QWERTY And MotoBlur
